Is Your Teen Ready for a First Facial?

There is no set age for a first facial. A good time is when a teen’s skin starts to change, which for most means the early teen years: more oil, blackheads, the first breakouts, or simply a new interest in skincare. A gentle facial at that point clears clogged pores and, more usefully, teaches a simple routine before bad habits set in.

What are the signs a teen is ready?

• Blackheads or clogged pores on the nose, chin or forehead
• Regular breakouts, or skin that is suddenly much oilier
• Picking at their skin, or squeezing pimples in the mirror
• Buying products they saw online without knowing what they do
• Asking about it themselves

The last one counts for a lot. A facial works best when the teen wants to be there. It should not feel like a verdict on how their skin looks.

What happens in a facial for a teenager?

Nothing harsh. Teen skin is oilier than adult skin, but it is also easily irritated, so the approach is gentle. The basics are a thorough cleanse, a mild exfoliation and a mask chosen for what the skin needs that day.

Two facials at Spathetics fit most teens:

• The Express Facial is a short appointment that covers the essential steps. It is a comfortable first try for someone who is nervous, or whose skin is mostly clear.
• The Acne Facial is built for skin that breaks out. It adds extractions to clear clogged pores, and high frequency, a mild, non-invasive current used in esthetics on acne-prone skin.

For athletes who break out across the shoulders and back, there is also a Back Facial.

What will a teen learn from it?

This may be the most valuable part. Someone trained looks at their skin up close and explains what it needs, and a teenager will often take that advice from a professional when they would not take it from a parent.

A good teen routine is short:

1. A gentle cleanser, morning and night, and after practice
2. A light moisturizer, even on oily skin
3. Sunscreen every morning
4. A spot treatment for individual blemishes, if needed

That is all. The shop has options for each step, including a Light Aloe moisturizer, Sheer Protection SPF 30 and a Blemish Spot Treatment. What matters most is that the routine is simple enough to be followed every day.

What should teens avoid?

• Harsh scrubs and scrubbing hard. Acne is not dirt, and it cannot be scrubbed off. Over-washing strips the skin and can lead to more oil and more irritation.
• Too many active products at once. Layering acids, retinol and several acne treatments because a video recommended them is a common cause of red, peeling skin.
• Anti-aging products. Teen skin does not need them, and many are too strong for it.
• Picking and popping. It leaves marks that outlast the pimple. Here is why to leave extractions to a professional.

Why does back-to-school season make skin worse?

August in central Illinois is hot and humid, and fall sports start in the middle of it. Sweat under helmets, chin straps, shoulder pads and tight uniforms, held against the skin for hours, is a well-known trigger for breakouts on the forehead, chin, shoulders and back. So is the stress and short sleep of a new school year.

A few habits help: wash the face (or at least rinse it) soon after practice, change out of sweaty clothes quickly, and wipe down chin straps and helmet pads.

If school pictures or homecoming are coming up, book the facial about a week ahead, not the day before. Skin can be a little pink after extractions and needs a few days to settle.

When is it time to see a dermatologist instead?

A facial helps with clogged pores and mild to moderate breakouts. It is not medical care. See a doctor or dermatologist if your teen has:

• Deep, painful bumps under the skin (cystic acne)
• Breakouts that are leaving scars
• Acne that is affecting how they feel about themselves, or that has not improved after a few months of consistent care

If your teen is already on a prescription, such as isotretinoin (Accutane), a topical retinoid or an antibiotic, check with the prescriber before booking and mention it when you do. Some steps in a facial are not suitable for skin on those medications.

A note for parents

If your teen is under 18, plan to come along to the first visit, and get in touch beforehand with any questions about what is appropriate for their age and skin. It also helps to let them do the talking once they are there.

Ashley is a licensed esthetician, and every appointment at Spathetics in Effingham is one-on-one, which tends to put a nervous first-timer at ease. Current prices are on each service page, and you can book a first facial online.